DSS raids NLC HQ over #EndBadGovernance protest (DailyTrust)
Security operatives suspected to be from the Department of State Services (DSS) have raided headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over allegations that members of the organised labour sponsored the #EndBadGovernance protest.
Some labour leaders who spoke to Daily Trust on Wednesday night, said everyone in the building had left for their various residence when the operatives stormed the building.
One of the labour leaders said he spoke to one of the private security guards attached to building on phone and confirmed that the masked operatives with assorted rifles stormed there at about 10pm. Read more
We’re exiting darkness to enter new, glorious dawn, Tinubu assures (NewTelegraph)
Following the turbulence in the country brought about by the ongoing hunger protests, President Bola Tinubu has, in a trending video on social media, assured that the country was exiting darkness to enter a new and glorious dawn.
The President in the video made sometimes in July but currently trending explained that the hardship in the land was ignited by the unavoidable lag between the subsidy removal and the plans put in place by his administration to cushion the effects.
Tinubu in the short video said: “Fellow Nigerians, this period may be hard on us and there’s no doubt that it’s tough on us, but I urge you all to look beyond the present temporary pains and aim at the larger picture. Read more
Labour declares day of mourning for #EndBadGovernance protest victims (Sun)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has decided to set aside a National Day of Mourning to honour those who were injured or killed during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests across the country.
NLC disclosed this in a communique issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Wednesday, to assess the welfare of Nigerian workers and the general populace in light of the severe hardship, deprivation, and hunger afflicting the nation.
In the document which was signed by the Congress, President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, NEC expressed strong disapproval of the government’s heavy-handed response to the #EndBadGovernance protests. Read more
Police arrest 3 protesters for theft in Rivers (Nation)
The Rivers Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three protesters for stealing Point of Sale machines and windshield wipers of vehicles.
Commissioner for Police, Olatunji Disu, said on Wednesday in Port Harcourt that he carried an on-the-spot assessment of the protest in various parts of the state and expressed dismay that miscreants had hijacked the protest.
He further said the organisers of the genuine protest had lost control of the crowd but warned that the police would not sit idly and allow hoodlums to terrorise the state. Read more
Lagos Businessman disassociates self from criminal allegations involving namesake (Tribune)
In a move to clear his name, Mr. Musibau Alade Fowosere, a respected businessman from Epe, Lagos, has issued an official affidavit to disassociate himself from another individual of a similar name currently facing criminal charges.
Mr. Fowosere, who resides at No. 6/8 Hassan Street, Epe, Lagos, and was born on June 6th, 1948, took this step following reports linking him to Mr. Musibau Fowosere, a 75-year-old man standing trial on a six-count charge related to forceful entry into the Itamarun Community land in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State.
In the affidavit, Mr. Fowosere made it clear that the similarity in their names is purely coincidental and does not imply any connection or association between them. He emphasized that he is a law-abiding citizen with no involvement in any criminal activities. Read more
Police arrest pregnant woman, 7 others for illegal oil bunkering (Channels)
Police operatives have arrested an eight-month-old pregnant woman who is the leader of an oil bunkering syndicate along with her husband and six others over alleged illegal oil bunkering in the South-East.
Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, the nation’s capital, adding that the suspects were apprehended on July 4.
Though he didn’t disclose the exact state, he said the suspects were involved in aiding and abetting an organized syndicate specialised in tampering with oil pipelines and stealing. Read more
25 more suspects arrested in Plateau over curfew violation (Punch)
No fewer than 25 persons were arrested by soldiers in Plateau State on Wednesday for violating a curfew imposed on the state capital by the state government.
This brings the total number of persons arrested by security agents to 51 since the curfew was imposed in Jos on Sunday, as part of measures to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests and causing mayhem in the state.
The Plateau Police Command spokesman, Alabo Alfred, who confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, commended the youths for complying with the curfew imposed by the government. Read more
#EndBadGovernance protests: Condemn looting like UK opposition, Presidency replies Atiku (Tribune)
The Presidency has reacted to a comment made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the aftermath of the #EndBadGovernance protests cautioning the federal government against violation of the rights of Nigerians protesting against hunger and economic challenges.
The presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement late Tuesday, asked the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, to act like opposition figures in the United Kingdom “who have rallied behind the government to condemn the ongoing riots in the UK”.
Onanuga blamed Atiku for not condemning the looting and destruction that trailed the nationwide protests in Nigeria. Read more
Miss South Africa, Chidimma Adetshina hit by fraud scandal after xenophobic row (Vanguard)
South Africa’s national beauty pageant was thrown into turmoil on Wednesday, after the government accused the mother of a contestant who suffered a torrent of online abuse over her Nigerian heritage of fraud and identity theft.
Chidimma Adetshina, 23, has been the subject of vicious, xenophobic attacks on social media since she was announced as a finalist in Miss South Africa in July, with many, including cabinet ministers, questioning her credentials.
The ruckus led to an investigation into her citizenship by the Home Affairs ministry, following a request from the pageant’s organisers. Read more
Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna cancelled amid concerns of possible attack (VOA)
Organisers of three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts.
Swift was scheduled to play at the Austrian capital’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour.
Event organizer Barracuda Music said in a post on its Instagram channel late Wednesday that “we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.” It cited government officials’ confirmation of a planned attack at the stadium. Read more
OIC says Israel ‘fully responsible’ for Hamas chief Haniyeh’s killing (AlJazeera)
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has blamed Israel for the attack that killed Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh last week in Iran, which has vowed to retaliate.
A statement issued after an extraordinary meeting of the 57-member bloc on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia said it “holds Israel, the illegal occupying power, fully responsible for this heinous attack”, which it described as “a serious infringement” of Iran’s sovereignty.
The Gambia’s Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara, whose country chairs OIC, said Haniyeh’s “heinous” assassination and the ongoing war in Gaza could lead to a regional conflict. Read more
Biden ‘not confident at all’ that there will be a peaceful transfer of power if Trump loses election (NBC)
President Joe Biden said in a new interview that he is “not confident at all” that there will be a peaceful transfer of power in January if former President Donald Trump loses the election this fall.
“If Trump loses, I’m not confident at all,” Biden said when asked during an interview with CBS News if he was confident that power would be peacefully transferred in January 2025.
Biden also said in the clip that aired Wednesday evening that people were not taking Trump’s past comments about a “bloodbath” seriously. Read more
Muslim activists apologise after pub-goers mistaken for far-right group in attack (Independent)
Members of a Muslim community have apologised after an attack which saw pub patrons mistaken for far-right rioters in Birmingham.
Social media rumours spread that a far-right group was drinking at The Clumsy Swan pub, on Stoney Lane in Yardley, on Monday night.
On the seventh day of disorder on the UK’s streets, huge crowds descended on the area, with footage showing gangs of men in balaclavas, some shouting ‘Free Palestine’ and holding Palestinian flags, after it was suggested the far-right was planning to target the area. Read more
Rapper Nelly ‘arrested for drugs possession and driving without insurance’ (Metro)
Nelly, famed for hits including Hot in Here and Ride Wit Me, was arrested in the St Louis area for alleged possession of ecstasy, it has been reported.
49-year-old Nelly – real name Cornell Haynes Jr – is said to have since been released.
According to Fox 2 Now, the Over and Over hitmaker was arrested by the Missouri State Highway Patrol after he was pulled over and authorities found four ecstasy pills in the car he was driving without insurance. Read more
Good Morning Britain show prompts 8,200 complaints (BBC)
More than 8,200 complaints about Monday’s edition of ITV’s Good Morning Britain have been submitted to Ofcom, according to the media regulator.
The complaints are focused on two controversial interviews in the same episode.
There were accusations of a conflict of interest, after presenter Ed Balls interviewed his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Read more
Paris Olympics: Team Nigeria’s Nathaniel out of men’s 400m hurdle final (Leadership)
Team Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel failed to advance to the final of the men’s 400m hurdle at the ongoing Paris Olympics as world record holder and defending champion, Karsten Warholm of Norway won the heat with 47.67secs on Wednesday night.
The Norwegian was the fastest of the night, claiming the first of three semi-final heats.
He eased across the finish line for the victory, with France’s Clement Ducos securing his spot in the final, too, clocking a second-place with 47.85 secs. Read more
USA routs Nigeria, advances to women’s basketball semifinal (UPI)
Team USA thrived on interior physicality and a smothering defense, dominating Nigeria to advance to the semifinals of the Summer +Olympics women’s basketball tournament Wednesday in Paris.
The Americans, who are on a 59-game win streak in Olympics play, outshot the Nigerians 54% to 41% and led by as many as 30 points in the 88-74 victory at Bercy Arena.
“We are just building off each game,” Team USA guard Jackie Young, who scored 15 points, told NBC. “We know what each other want to do now. The biggest thing is just playing out of our defense.” Read more
Liverpool identify first potential signing of Arne Slot era to fill a key problem position (Independent)
Liverpool are interested in Martin Zubimendi and are considering making the Euro 2024 winner the first signing of Arne Slot’s reign.
The midfielder has a £51m release clause in his contract at Real Sociedad, meaning Liverpool could trigger it if Slot decides he wants the 25-year-old.
Zubimendi, who came off the bench for Spain football in the final of Euro 2024 to impress after Rodri was injured, has emerged as a target as well as a belated replacement for Fabinho and Jordan Henderson. Read more
Red Bull deny Liberty Media pressure to keep Perez (F1i)
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has rubbished reports that Liberty Media intervened and urged Red Bull Racing to retain Sergio Perez for commercial reasons.
The Mexican driver’s future in F1 was in jeopardy ahead of the sport’s summer break, with Red Bull mulling replacing the 34-year-old F1 veteran due to his lack of performance and results.
Perez is currently a whopping 146 points behind his Red Bull teammate and championship leader Max Verstappen, a significant deficit that is weighing on the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s battle in F1’s Constructors’ standings. Read more
Paris 2024: Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif advances to final amid gender misconceptions (LeMonde)
Boxer Imane Khelif of Algeria advanced to the gold-medal bout in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday night, August 6, moving one win away from what she calls the best response to the worldwide scrutiny she has faced over misconceptions about her gender. With one more victory, Khelif would win Algeria’s second boxing gold medal and its first in women’s boxing.
Khelif defeated Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand 5:0 in the semifinals at Roland-Garros, where the crowd roared for her and chanted her name repeatedly during her three-round fight. Khelif has won three consecutive bouts in Paris, and she will win either a gold or a silver medal when she completes the tournament on Friday against Yang Liu of China. Read more
Australian Craig ‘sorry’ after Paris cocaine arrest (BBC)
Australia hockey player Tom Craig has apologised after being released from custody in Paris following his arrest for allegedly buying cocaine.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said an individual was arrested on Tuesday night for buying cocaine in the ninth arrondissement.
Craig was released with a warning and did not receive a convinction or a fine. Read more